The Twelve Strippers of Christmas

By Lulu M. Sylvian

Sometimes the best presents unwrap themselves!

 

With a twist…and a thrust…and some break-away snaps.

 

Grab some holiday cheer the naughty way with the bite-sized Christmas stories. Have fun with a sexy Santa Strip-O-Gram. Party with sassy strippers and skilled shifters. Get ready for surprises such as nude zero-grav ballet, and a Celtic drum band that bares all. And in every story? The romance you've been waiting for. Ranging from short and sweet, to longer and *a-hem* hotter, this collection of holiday stories will bring you joy any time of year.

 

• Partridge in Her Pear Tree Sexy? Yes! HR nightmare? Definitely! But what else would you expect from a Christmas party at a personal pleasure device company?
• Perfect Cup All Alexa wants is an attractive, British man named Tom, who drinks tea. Steamy.
• Three French Cockerels Welcome to Belvoir County Kentucky where they know not everyone celebrates Christmas, but everyone loves chicken, and they still argue over the secret of that famous secret recipe.
• Calling Bird Ava is torn between one sexy rocker with a troubled past, and one responsible hunk who places her firmly in the friend zone.
• Five Glowing Rings Past life regression meets sexy hoop dancer. Amy is in Vegas to lick her wounds, instead, she ends up licking a set of perfect abs.
• Blaze and Glori Whats a girl to do when she's stuck on a holiday cruise with her family? Faced with douche-boys and cougar-hunts, Glori's vacation is not off to a promising start. Fortunately, she keeps running into handsome passenger Blaze, who is definitely making her trip more interesting.
• Burlesque Cygnus Innuendo will leave you reading between the lines in this super short tale with a paranormal twist.
• More Than Want Transporter St. Cyr picks up a passenger she cannot resist. Things heat up in outer space where it's literally sex or death, when biology acts against St. Cyr.
• Nine Ladies Dancing Kyra is so done with what other people want from her, and she is tired of the fantasy where the gorgeous millionaire rescues the poor stripper. That only ever happens in the movies.
• XXLL X-treme X-rated Lascivious Lords A night out with friends is what Clary needs to take her mind off her failing relationship. But can she lose herself in the moment with a masked stripper and not think about Josh?
• Piper's Daughter Rose finds out she is not free from her dead father's control when its discovered his will requires her to be married by the end of the year of his death, or she'll be homeless. High school crush Jimmy comes to the rescue with only two days left to the year.
• Bang a Drummer Cross-dressing Lettie has the hots for a celtic drummer who is hiding an even bigger, hairier secret than the one she is.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Griffyn Ink
• Release date: Oct 26, 2017
• ISBN: 9798201478919

Book preview

1

PARTRIDGE IN HER PEAR TREE

M adge, seriously, I think this could be a real problem for us. Bethany Poirier trailed after her boss, picking up scattered bits of detritus from the work day.

Madge danced back and forth between the file cabinet in her office and the larger one in the hall. She bopped in time to the grinding music coming from the lounge.

Bethany, relax. How is this going to be a problem?

It’s an HR nightmare. Bethany loved her boss. She loved this company. She didn’t have to dress up for work, she didn’t have to wear shoes. It was just that sometimes they pushed the boundaries of HR-appropriate office behavior. This is a lawsuit waiting to happen. You can’t hire strippers for the office Christmas party.

Oh, why not? Madge turned to look at Bethany. Her brow furrowed. You’re shorter.

Bethany directed her gaze to her stocking feet. I took my shoes off.

Right. Madge continued. How many women work for this company?

Five, Bethany responded.

Of those five, how many are married, and how many are going to find this offensive?

You’re the only married one, and I guess no one is going to find this offensive.

See? I mean, who is in charge of all things HR? Madge asked.

I am.

And how many in this company are men?

None since Charles left.

Exactly. Madge stared at Bethany. She began bobbing her head again to the um-cha um-cha of the music pulsing through the office. Who is the office prude?

Charles, Bethany replied.

And after Charles? Madge prodded.

That would be me, Bethany replied.

Are you going to sue me, Bethany?

No, but— Bethany started.

But nothing, it’s a party. Have some wine. Madge picked up a bottle and began looking for a cup. She found a coffee mug. She poured the wine and handed it to Bethany. We’re having design issues with the Thruster 2000, but I’m not going to spend my time stressing over designs I can’t do anything about right now until I hire a new engineer, and I can’t do that the Friday before Christmas. I’m going to enjoy myself, and I want you to do the same.

But we’ve got a little person dressed like an elf dancing around in there and handing out candy canes to bow-chikka-wow-wow music, Bethany whined.

Only one? I hired two strippers. Madge quickly scurried to the lounge and the party. Bethany followed in her wake.

Through the door, Bethany could see the man dancing on the coffee table in the middle of the room. Her coworkers hooted and shouted as he twisted and posed. In a single swift move and with the help of velcro and snaps, he pulled off his green elf shirt. The green and red stocking hat bobbled on his head. She closed her eyes, the image of the well-defined little person cavorting in a red G-string and red and white thigh-high striped stockings forever seared into her brain.

Bethany sighed and turned back towards her boss. This was ridiculous, but Madge was right, no one in their office would lodge a complaint. Bethany was still adjusting after eight months of being with As You Like It after years of being in corporate HR departments. Years of filing complaints, years of documenting innuendo and off-color humor. AYLI was a completely different beast. Madge took good care of her employees, made sure they had what they needed, listened when there was a problem, and let loose with the inappropriate fun as she saw fit. Madge would have never have hired the strippers if Charles was still around.

This party was not only to celebrate the impending Christmas holiday but to let off some steam after Charles left. He had been Bethany’s personal hell. From day one, Charles lodged some form of complaint against AYLI. Most of which were ridiculous, after all the man was a design engineer for a sexual pleasure device company. A company that catered primarily to the sexual needs of women and gay men. Apparently after nearly three years of employment, Charles began having a personal moral crisis, designer’s remorse, and religious anxiety. And he made everyone else’s work life miserable.

Madge patted her on the shoulder. Chill, it’s a Santa-gram, it’s fun, relax.

Bethany sighed again, she faced the party and grabbed onto the mug in her hand with a death grip, lest it fall and spill wine everywhere.

She retreated into the hall with a spin, her breathing labored, Oh, shit, we are so going to get sued.

What? Madge asked as she looked up from filing the last job folder into the long line of purple cabinets.

Jonsey is on his Johnson. This isn’t happening. Bethany moaned. She had thought the sight of the dwarf dancing was going to give her nightmares, but that was nothing compared to the vision she had just seen. Through labored breathing she managed to say, The dwarf guy is standing on the table, and Jonsey is sucking him off. I cannot handle how completely nonpolitically correct this whole thing is.

Really? How big is he? Madge quickly scurried into the lounge.

Bethany groaned.

She heard Madge join the party with a loud whoop followed by, Jonsey, that is not a candy cane. Put that away!

The music changed again. Bethany slunk into the lounge, keeping to the edges of the room in case an orgy or something broke out. She wanted an escape route.

Santa made his entrance. He threw the doors open and strode in like he was the man in charge. He was larger than life, tall and round with a commanding presence. The costuming was fantastic, all red velvet with soft white fur trimming. It barely looked like a fat suit at all. Of course, she hadn’t really expected the elf to be a little person when Madge had confessed to hiring the strippers, so it was possible this man was actually a big guy. He moved more fluidly than Bethany expected from a man of real girth. It didn’t matter, so long as there were no more blow jobs in her presence at this party, she could handle it.

A hearty ho, ho, ho, passed through his lips. He stopped in front of Jonsey, letting the large sack on his back fall to the floor. So you’re the ho? he asked in a booming voice.

Jonsey cackled and clapped with delight. She was probably more than a bit tipsy. She was certainly enjoying herself.

Santa rummaged in his bag and pulled out a large lump of coal. He presented it to Jonsey. Since you have clearly been naughty, naughty, naughty.

Jonsey grabbed the coal and continued to howl with laughter.

Santa placed the bag next to Sue, and then caressed her cheek. Watch this for me, he said with a wink. He whipped himself around in a fast turn. And no peeking.

Of course, Sue immediately tried to peek in the bag. Santa playfully smacked at her hand and waggled his finger at her. Bethany rolled her eyes, this was going to get so much worse as the night went on, she could just tell.

Santa’s music changed again, and in his full suit, he began bumping and grinding. Sue got the first lap dance. From Bethany’s perspective against the back wall, it looked like a giant Santa-shaped dog was humping her co-worker.

A complete HR nightmare.

Santa continued to dance, and then articles of clothing began falling off First to go was the belt, he removed it in a slow tease before draping it around Madge’s neck. Under the jacket, he was round and wore a Henley-style long sleeved shirt with three small buttons at the neck. Suspenders held his pants up. One at a time he lowered the suspenders. The dance was more ridiculous than sexy.

Bethany wasn’t exactly sure how he did it, but in a series of spins, he removed the shirt and all the padding. When he stopped he was shirtless, and the overlarge pants, no longer supported, fell to the ground.

A tall wall of muscle stepped out of the pile that was the Santa suit. His muscle groups had muscles. Bethany’s jaw hit the floor. Before her, thrusting his crotch at Madge and Jonsey, was a perfectly sculpted bronze warrior. Bethany was instantly brought back to her Art Appreciation class in college, this man was a Greek God. He was perfection, at least in her eyes. The only detractor from all of this male glory was the thick white beard. The large skull and crossed candy canes tattoo emblazoned across his chest was humorous, as was the G-string that had a gift box with a large bow perfectly situated in front of his privates.

Bethany’s attention was pulled away from the dancing Santa when Monica let out a loud whoop. The dancing elf pulled giant phallic candy canes from Santa’s bag. He and Santa began what looked like a well rehearsed choreographed routine that involved a lot of rubbing and humping along the giant candy canes.

Bethany finally relaxed, this last number was too much. She started giggling and approached closer to the dancers and the rest of the party.

Santa had noticed her, she squealed when he grabbed her, pulling her into a sweaty embrace. He began humping and grinding around her. She couldn’t help it, she began dancing to the music. She reached up and tugged the hat off. The dancer had longer hair than she expected.

Sue bounced up and began dancing with them, then they were joined by Monica. The elf danced with Jonsey and Madge. Bethany wasn’t sure who removed the beard, but one minute she danced with a snowy-bearded man and the next, it was a face she recognized.

Bethany’s muscles seized up, she froze, and then scurried danced away to a safe distance. She stared. That beautiful face and perfect body belonged to Seth Partridge. Seth had been a thing of beauty in high school, majestic and unattainable. And here he was more beautiful, more sculpted, and just as unattainable. Drama boy, track team, she had a crush on him for three and half years.

And now look at him. His sixteen-year-old body had given her some of her first sexual thoughts. His current body was giving her some seriously dirty ideas.

She needed to remember to thank Madge on Monday for hiring the Santa-gram.

I recognize you, don’t I? Seth asked. Bethany had to brace herself against the sound of his voice. It was deeper, smoother, and sexier than she remembered. She nodded.

Buccaneer County High, right?

Class of 2006. Go, Pirates. Arr, she replied.

Seth’s face broke into a wide grin. Bethany had always liked his grin, that certainly hadn’t changed. Only now it pulled at her and opened a chasm of longing deep in her core. In high school, his grin had made her giddy and flustered more than once. So you remember Colin McIntry?

Yeah, I tutored him, I remember you, you’re his friend Seth? Bethany was glad he was the one to bring up their mutual past. It made her feel less like a stalker.

Yeah, that’s me. So, wow. What are you doing here? I mean, this isn’t exactly the logical place to move to after Rock Falls.

College, then work. How ‘bout you? Bethany kept staring at the checkbook in front of her. It was that or openly drool over Seth as he stood in front of her with no shirt and drops of sweat glistening between perfectly formed pecs.

Moved here to get out of that town, it got smaller after high school. Met a girl who knew a guy who… and next thing I know I’m doing the stripper fireman thing for bachelorette parties. Seth pulled a faded T-shirt on. It pulled across his chest and strained at his biceps.

Who do I make this out to? Bethany indicated the check with her pen. She leaned in and whispered, I really hope your dance partner isn’t going to sue us.

I’m really sorry about that. R and D Entertainment, pronounced Randy, like on the invoice. Seth pointed to the piece of paper on the desk in front of Bethany. Ricky isn’t supposed to do that. I’m just glad you’re still willing to pay us. Some of the guys take it too far, we’re legally not allowed to do that. I actually hate the Santa gig, but it’s good money.

Bethany shivered as his fingers slowly ran along hers when he took the check from her hand.

When we get paid. Ricky has cost us getting paid more than once. One of these days he’s going to get us into serious legal problems.

Why don’t they fire him?

He’s the R of R and D. We get more Santa-grams and St. Patrick’s day gigs because of him. We’ve even added some Ren-fair type numbers with dragons cause of that cable show. He works his angle hard. We’ve been doing this Santa bit twice a night all week, and practically every night since Thanksgiving.

Sounds like he’s really got something going on there. And work is work. It looked like you were enjoying yourself.

I admit it, it’s fun. I like to dance. Just never really thought I’d be a stripper.

Does anybody? Bethany asked.

Point taken. It was good to see you again. Maybe I’ll see you around town sometimes? Seth picked up his duffle bag full of costume and pushed his way out AYLI’s front doors.

Beth sighed and slumped into her desk chair. Seth Partridge. He was gorgeous. And he had remembered her. She had his work number, maybe she should call him for a private showing?

Wow, Santa was hot! Madge exclaimed as she walked past Bethany’s desk. She paused. I can’t believe I boogied with a midget.

Little person, Bethany corrected.

Elf, Jonsey added, her bag on her shoulder. He’s in character, so it’s okay to call him an elf. Man, he was one little hot package. And hung for a short dude.

Bethany groaned. Good night, Jonsey, if he sues us, it’s all on you.

You know it! Jonsey yelled as she left the building.

Go home, Bethany. The party was a hit, and no one is suing anyone. Madge directed.

Bethany slogged her way out to the parking lot. The adrenaline rush of the party and seeing Seth again drained from her body. She felt beyond exhausted, she felt used up and wrung out.

Loud shouts from across the lot caught her attention. Seth waved his arms about. Ricky was bawling him out. Ricky kicked Seth in the shin, jumped in the van, and then slammed the door. Tires squealed as he pulled out of the lot at high speed. Seth stood staring after the van as it drove away. He looked silly and cute standing there in his oversized velvet Santa pants and hoodie. His breath made small puffs of steam. However, it was too cold for him to be out dressed the way he was. She rolled down her window as she pulled up next to him.

You need some help? Looks like you got ditched.

Seth slicked his hair back with both hands. Yeah, that asshole just fired me. I told him you were nervous we were gonna sue you for him not keeping it in his pants. He doesn’t get it. He’s gonna get into trouble someday. Someday that’s gonna happen, and the girl will turn out to be underage. Seth stomped in a circle, shaking the aggravation out of his arms.

You need a ride? Bethany asked.

Naw, I’m good. Seth started searching for pockets. He looked up sheepishly. Yeah, I need a ride. My wallet, keys, phone—all of it are in my bag in Ricky’s stupid van.

Bethany nodded her head to the side, indicating that Seth should climb in. Come on, where do you live?

I’m on the other side of Mount Wash. It’s kind of far, sorry.

It’s the least I could do since I feel kind of responsible for getting you fired, Bethany said.

Hey, no, you didn’t get me fired. I got me fired. Ricky has a good schtick, he just needs to learn to reign it in. This way I’m not around for when the shit hits the fan, and it will.

You don’t mind if we swing through a drive through, do you? Party snacks do not a dinner make.

My treat… Seth started. If I had my wallet. Shit. You don’t mind spotting me for a burger, do you? I’ll buy next time.

Bethany melted at the grin he gave her. Sure.

I wish you hadn’t remembered me from high school, Bethany said, shoving fries into her mouth.

Why not? You remembered me.

Yeah, but I was a mess. She cut herself off before she added and you were hot.

We all were. It was high school.

Bad hair, braces, total ugly duckling. High school was not a good time for me.

I don’t remember you being ugly. I remember you being smart and tutoring Colin. Well, you grew out it if you were an ugly duckling.

Bethany blushed like a traffic light the rest of the drive.

She pulled into the driveway behind Ricky’s van.

Good. Ricky’s back. I can get in, Seth exclaimed.

Why would Ricky be here? Bethany asked, confused.

He’s my roommate. And boss. I guess it’s going to be a little weird now, and he’s going to actually start charging me rent instead of taking it out of my pay. Seth got out of the car. He walked around to the driver’s side.

Bethany rolled down her window. She handed Seth a scrap of paper with her hastily scrawled phone number. Call me sometime. We can catch up some more, or not. Her insides felt like they were curling in on themselves. She had just handed her phone number to Seth. She couldn’t believe how nervous the whole thing was making her. She wanted to scream in excitement, more importantly, she wanted to be cool enough that Seth would consider calling her and not think she was still the same dork from high school.

Seth took the paper. He looked at the number. Thanks. He waggled his eyebrows at her. I will call. I owe you a hamburger. Thanks again.

He waved as he walked into the house.

She wanted to die. The cute boy from school said he would call her. She felt sixteen all over again. She was transported back to being Bethany, dweeb dork supreme. The only reason any boy, let alone a cute one, would talk to her was because she tutored English.

Bethany sat in the driveway much longer than necessary, gathering her wits. She wasn’t sixteen anymore. She was an adult, for Christ’s sake. Just because she was currently single did not make her desperate, but she yearned for more of Seth. Hell, she wasn’t some shy virgin, and she worked for a vibrator design company. What was wrong with her?

She shifted into reverse and pulled out of the drive.

Less than a mile away her phone started ringing. She punched the answer button on the car’s dash.

Bet...sshole...can... The unidentified caller kept breaking up.

I have no idea if you can hear me, cause I can’t hear a thing you’re saying. Try calling me back. She ended the call.

Her phone rang again. Hey Bethany, it’s Seth. That asshole kicked me out of the house.

What? She pulled over and picked up the phone so she could hear Seth better.

Ricky kicked me out of the house. I hate to ask this of you, but I’m stuck, my car is in the shop, and that asshole is refusing to pay me, calling it back rent and utilities. Fuck! Seth yelled. It’s snowing. A fat white fluff splattered against her windshield, confirming his weather report.

I’m coming to get you. She placed the phone back in the cradle and turned the car around.

Seth stood huddled under the front door overhang, staying out of the snow. He tossed a duffle bag into the back seat of Bethany’s car before hopping into the passenger seat.

I don’t have money for a hotel. Can you take me to a shelter for tonight? I should be able to get my car back on Monday, and I guess I’ll live in that until I can find another place.

Bethany shook her head. You aren’t staying in a shelter. You can sleep on my couch. I feel responsible. First, you’re fired, and now you’re kicked out of your place. It’s the least I can do.

Thanks, Bethany. This year has sucked. What more can it throw at me in the next week?

Bethany glanced over at Seth, his head reclined on the seat. He looked completely defeated. Sexy as hell, but defeated.

Bethany padded out of her bedroom, the smell of hot chocolate and pancakes welcomed her. The sight of Seth standing in boxer shorts and socks in her kitchen thrilled her. He was a beautiful sight to wake up to. He turned and smiled at her.

That was when she panicked. Her pajamas were old and shabby, her head hosted a rat’s nest of bed-head hair, and she hadn’t brushed her teeth.

She dashed into the bathroom and slammed the door. When she entered the kitchen again, Seth wore jeans that hugged his hips and backside in a manner that made Bethany jealous of the denim fabric.

I know I’m not very pretty in the morning, I just didn’t think I would scare you. He laughed.

It’s not you, it’s me, she mumbled into the mug of hot cocoa he handed her.

Naw, you wake up pretty. She grinned. Seth was a master flirt. She knew she was still a morning mess, even in a robe with freshly brushed teeth and her hair pulled into a quick ponytail. But she’d take it. It had been a very long time since someone bothered to flirt with her while she looked like this. Actually, she couldn’t really remember if any of her past boyfriends had. To the best of her memory, there had been that one kid in the dorm, but he flirted with everyone, that was never personal. This was very personal, and Bethany enjoyed it completely.

How was the couch?

My feet hung off the edge, but it was comfortable enough. Seth leaned back against the counter, his breakfast plate in his hands.

So what’s the plan? Bethany sat on her one kitchen chair and began eating. Hmm, these are good.

The least I could do. You kept me off the street last night. He looked at her over the rim of his mug. The plan is to make some calls to find a place to stay tonight and go back to Ricky’s today or tomorrow and get the rest of my stuff. Hopefully, pick up my car on Monday when the shop opens and start looking for a job.

How many strip-o-gram places are there in this town? I mean— Bethany cut herself off as she realized she had firmly planted her foot in her own mouth.

As far as I know, Ricky has the market cornered on that one. But I can wait tables, change tires, stock shelves. I’ve been trying to get a job as a mechanical engineer ever since I graduated last year. I’m finding out around here it’s not what you know, it’s who you know. And a lot of places seem to hold the fact that it took me eight years to get a degree against me.

Bethany knew the pain of being between jobs and on her own. A random comment while waiting in line at the coffee shop had introduced her to Madge and her current job. What about your family?

Seth shook his head. That’s not an option.

Bethany nodded. She knew that one too well too. Gears in her head whirled to life. Can you make more than just pancakes?

You mean can I cook? Sure, but I’m not interested in being a line chef.

Bethany shook her head, I’ll make you a deal, short term until you can get back on your feet and find a proper place to live. You can stay on my couch as long as you cook for me.

You want me to be your live-in personal chef? Seth cocked an eyebrow.

His expression gave her butterflies. She would love for him to be her live-in anything, especially if he did everything without a shirt on. Sort of. But there’s more.

Cooking, cleaning, laundry, personal masseuse? Seth asked jokingly.

She bit her lips, how to say this without sounding like she was coming on to him? She wanted to come on to him, but this wasn’t the time. Sometimes her job could be embarrassing. Right now, getting ready to discuss it with a man as hot as Seth was definitely one of those times.

How to you feel about the sex entertainment industry? she blurted out.

I’m a male stripper, what do you think?

I was thinking more along the line of sex toys. She could feel her own blush wash over her face.

What are you getting at, Bethy girl? Seth put his mug down slowly. To Bethany, he looked like he’d turned from affable house guest to super sexy predator. Maybe she just liked that gleam in his eyes.

Are you familiar with As You Like It? The company that you danced at last night? She began talking fast, this conversation was heading straight into the realm of innuendo. She didn’t want to piss him off or insult him. Or lead him on, just yet. We design and oversee the manufacture of personal pleasure devices. Our primary client base is women and gay men. Our engineer walked off the job a little over a week ago in a fit of moral righteousness.

And here I hoped you were coming on to me, Seth sighed. So you have an opening for a mechanical engineer who isn’t ashamed of designing vibrators?

Basically.

Seth grinned widely. Would you prefer to see my LinkedIn profile or a resume?

Hey Madge, I may have solved our engineering problem. Bethany stood in the door to her boss’s office.

You get a technical education over the weekend?

Better. I met a techy guy who has zero issues with the industry, Bethany tilted her head, indicating Madge should follow her. C’mon.

Bethany led Madge into the conference room, where Seth stood looking out the window. Bethany sighed inwardly, he presented a glorious view, front or back facing. And he filled out dress shirts beautifully.

Madge, I’d like to introduce you to… Bethany gestured towards Seth. He turned around.

Santa! Madge cried out. She extended her hand to take Seth’s. So you possess beauty and brains?

Yes, ma’am. Seth nodded.

Bethany handed Madge a folder with Seth’s resume on top. Madge glanced over the document before sitting. First, don’t call me ma’am, second tell me how a Santa-gram dancer can fulfill my Christmas wish of hiring a competent design engineer who isn’t going to freak out that the dildos and vibrators he’s working on are bigger than his ego?

Bethany quietly closed the door behind her, leaving Madge to interview Seth. She kept her fingers crossed that this worked out for him. She would enjoy seeing him every day. Unfortunately, it would mean he was out of her apartment soon. She didn’t know if she could actually handle him staying on her couch too much longer without throwing herself at him. His friendly flirting, and knowing his broad shoulders and tight ass slept on her couch, had driven her to some first-hand product testing of AYLI devices last night.

A light tapping behind her pulled her attention from the emails she scanned.

Seth leaned nonchalantly against the wall. His physical demeanor was calm, but his expression beamed. She’s giving me a trial run. After lunch, I sit down with the plans for the Thruster 2000 and see if I can figure out why it’s not working. It’s not really called that, is it?

Bethany nodded. Welcome to inappropriate yet accurate project names. Sue over in marketing already has a list of potential product names. While it’s in production we typically go with a descriptive title. You should have been here when we created the Lick-her one-oh-one. Bethany snorted, her thoughts and her words were going to get her in trouble around this man. She would definitely like to have him lick her. Her hand flew to cover her face, and she continued to giggle. And before lunch, what are you supposed to do?

I am supposed to impress the head of HR and have her go over paperwork and contingency hiring forms.

Bethany swiveled around in her chair. Have a seat. She began handing sheets of paper to Seth, indicating which forms needed to be filled out and how.

Seth leaned back in the passenger seat as Bethany guided her car through evening rush hour traffic. I’m sorry about my car not being ready. They didn’t start working on it until today. I swear they’ve had it for over a week. I can’t thank you enough, Bethany. You not only saved my butt from being on the streets, but I’m pretty sure you got me a job. And you’re driving me all over the place.

You think you can fix the design?

Yeah, it’s really close, and I can see why it should work. Madge gave me until the end of the year to see what I can do with it. But if I can actually make it work before then, she’s going to offer me a permanent position. He shifted to look at her. Why don’t we have a Christmas tree?

There is a big one in the lobby at work, what do you mean?

I mean at home, your apartment. You don’t have a tree.

She shrugged. I don’t know. It doesn’t seem worth it.

Seth leaned back. Oh, you go home for Christmas? Get all the holidays you need there?

Bethany shook her head. There is no home. I mean, the apartment is home.

What about your family back in Rock Falls?

Bethany sighed loudly. I don’t know if you knew this, but my parents died in a car crash a few years after high school. My grandparents took care of me after that.

He hummed in understanding.

And then they died a few years ago, so it’s just me and a distant aunt who I have vague memories of having met when I was really little.

Sorry, I understand. I don’t have family there either. Everyone either moved away or refuses to admit I exist. So what are we doing for Christmas?

You think you want to hang around with me for Christmas? Bethany was shocked. She would have expected Seth, if not to have family obligations, to at least have plans with his friends.

I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my time. We should hit the grocery store tonight or tomorrow to stock up on snacks and supplies. We can make a cozy feast for the two of us. How does that sound?

It sounded more than nice. It sounded romantic. That sounds great, Seth. We can pick up a small tree while we’re out. She blinked back unexpected emotion. This would be her first Christmas tree and the first time she’d really celebrated the holiday on her own. If she wasn’t visiting a boyfriend’s home or invited to some work-based lonely hearts group,